- METAMORPHOSIS -
- DEMISE -
-GIRAFFES-
- RENAISSANCE - REGENERATION -
- AUTHENTICITY - COLLECTIVISM -
-FLAMINGOS-
- GLOBALISM - HUMANISM -
- INFINITY - MORTALITY -
-PEACOCKS-
- ART - DESTINY -
- CONSEQUENCE -
janasa engineered this mind-alteringly nifty audio playing thingamajiggy via Sucka4Music .com.
prepare to witness the quintessential audiovisual gem of the day/month/year etc...
Kurt Elling renders 'The Waking' with blissful perfection...
ODYSSEY OF TANGANYIKA
10 days, 3 continents, 8 flights
& 12,000 air miles
london to qatar.
qatar to dar-es-salaam.
dar to zanzibar.
zanzibar to arusha.
arusha to dar.
dar to qatar
& back to this beast called london.
am i tired?
hell yeah!
...i think i miss africa
..
The Word. The Verb.
The Deed
The Music. The Laughter.
The Need
The African In You.
(Should You Know It Or Not)
The African In Me.
The Mighty Undisclosed
Mystery
The Miscellaneous Dialogue
We Speak
The Universal Plight Of The
meek
Abstract Beauty.
Genius Of Mind
The underdog
Emerging From The Shadow
You Thought You Left
Behind
SOME THINGS IN LIFE
I LOVE
BEYOND DEFINABLE REASON...
.. ..
Ah, Turbo. How you brightened up my days of youth as I marvelled in the wonder of your electric boogaloo..... .... ..Fonejacker is insane!.. ..
I'm laughing way too hard to say anything even vaguely coherent.. ..
Why Talking Heads 'Once In A Lifetime? Purely because I'm a sucka for eccentricity and corny 80's videos!
Want To Get Lost
In The Wonders Of Cyberspace?
..
Who's Afraid Of The Republic?
The Image Of Black
The Liberator
The Okayplayer Revolution
What is AfroFuturism?
Jelani's Hip Hop Intellectualism
The Urban Think Tank
Worldwide Untapped
Terry’s Think Tank
Are You An Urban Voyeur?
Black Imperatives
The Digital Diaspora
Dear Diary…
Nelson On HipHop
A bell Divine
..
.. ..Gil Scott Heron as an artist is amazing to me. Whenever I feel down, watching this somehow makes me feel inspired. It's just such a shame that things couldn't have turned out a little better...
Now what can I say about the Legendary Nina Simone that hasn't already been said? Probably not much. But her closing statement..I NEED that applause..well, that is simply classic Nina.
100 Years Later is a true labour of love.
First time I saw this, it actually moved me to tears...after the intial anger. If I had the means, I'd make it compulsory viewing for Black children in the West.
..WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT UNSUITABLE FOR UNDER 18s. Sad fact is..under 18s are subjected to much, much worse than this on our tv screens, in music videos and magazines day in, day out. Shame on all us adults. This clip comes from Byron Hurt's ..ary 'Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes'.
..bell hooks is articulate beyond belief. Her observations on the feeling of 'entitlement' are particularly interesting...
..
I'd like to meet:
Minds en route to Emancipation.
Artists and Artistes.
Scribes and Social Thinkers.
Pro-Action Activists.
Pro-Paper Activists.
Those who know the meaning of the Quarter-Life Crisis.
Those who Bravely Battle Through.
(CAUTIONARY SIDEBAR:
Would Not Like To Encounter:
Fatal Resignation and Apathetic Mindlessness)
Music:
Drumbeat. Lyric. Melody. Chord.
All are intrinsic to the emotional soundscape framing my precious memories of this eclectic rollercoaster they call life.
If I never get to untap those symphonies unravelling in my head, atleast the passage below is a petite homage to all the greats who make the music oh so beautifully worth it.
"PSEUDO-LINER NOTES FROM A SOUL-INSPIRED ANTHOLOGY FOREVER UNFOLDING IN MY MIND" (and this right here may be the closest I'll ever get to writing my own liner notes!) Genre-wise I lend an ear to everything from blues + soul to rock, folk, hip hop, classical, afrobeat, latin, soulful house, reggae and more. Respect to the great songwriters, arrangers, mc's, turntablists, sound engineers, actual organic musicians...even sample merchants. From Stevie to Bacharach to Gangstarr to David Axelrod, Prince, King Britt, Kurt Elling, Jay Dee (R.I.P to brilliance personified), Fertile Ground, Madlib/ Quasimoto/ Peanut Butterwolf/ Yesterday's New Quintet, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Bird, Mingus, Marsalis Family...The Legendary Roots Crew...
More than anything I'm a fiend for earth-shattering vocals. At times a great vocal even outlives the content held within the song and as far as vocal supremos, I salute the impeccable Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin (who bends notes I never even knew existed), Nina Simone (true See-Line woman), Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, Randy Crawford, Minnie Ripperton, Anita Baker, Oleta Adams, Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Deniece Williams, Rosie Gaines (fierce!), Gwen McCrae, Candi Staton, Marlena Shaw, Ann Nesby of Sounds Of Blackness ('one of the best singers in the known universe!')
...the mighty, mighty grand dames of UK soul Mica Paris, Sade, Caron Wheeler (where are you?!??)
..
80's London was just a different experience. Sade, Soul II Soul, Mica Paris, Maxi Priest, Omar...Walk with me as I revisit the glory days of Brit Soul
Carleen Anderson, Rachelle Ferrell (a divine sound!), Erykah Badu (creativity knows no bounds), N'Dambi, 'Ms. Hill' (lyrically daring + true), Jill Scott (songbird poetess), Amel Larrieux, Me'shell Ndege Ocello, Mary J. (the early years), Tammy Lucas (I miss your voice. It was good to me), Trina Broussard (impeccable vocal powerhouse!), Chante Moore (in the era of her 1st album), Whitney (the early years), Lizz Wright ('Salt' is magnificent), Navasha Daya of Fertile Ground, Aja Graydon of Kindred, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, Jazmine Sullivan (sensation-in-the-making!), Julie Dexter and sweet respect to Eska and Vula ( 2 elegant UK songbirds sailing up in myspace!)
...Old Soul greats Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, Ray Charles, Bill Withers, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Andy Bey, David Porter, Aaron Neville, Teddy Pendergrass to Barry White + Luther V (R.I.P to Legends lost). The mighty giants of reggae, Bob Marley (R.I.P) + Beres Hammond. Lyrical master technicians Chuck D, KRS-1 The Teacher, CL Smooth, Q-Tip/Kamal The Abstract, Mos Def, Lauryn 'L-Boogie' Hill everytime she blesses the mic, Talib Kweli, Ras Kass exclusively for Nature Of The Threat, Pharcyde for Labcabincalifornia
..
I used to love hip hop before the shameless advent of (C)rap. The Native Tongues/ Tribe Called Quest era is the sweetest nostalgia. Along with other shining moments from Pharcyde, Outkast and a host of other impeccable collectives and thought-provoking soloists honoured both above and below...
'Pac in his heyday (pre-Suge et. al.), Skillz, Busta, Andre3000, Black Thought, Common and UK reigning heavyweights TY (may our precious convos live on!) + Roots Manuva. Kudos to Questlove for being all-round brilliant + unstoppable across all genres (unbelievable work ethic!).
Latin maestros Eddie Palmieri, Airto Moreira, Joao + Astrud Gilberto (Saudade Vem Correndo's hook is the essence of J Dilla's production on 'Runnin'), Omar Sosa, Ed Motta. Jazz-funk-fusion legends Quincy Jones, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, George Clinton + Parliament/ Funkadelic, Roy Ayers (genius!), Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Gary Bartz, Lonnie Liston Smith, Bob James, Dave Grusin, Tom Browne, Zapp + Roger Troutman, Tarika Blue, George Benson, Fela + Manu DiBango. Sly + Family Stone, Earth, Wind + Fire, The O'Jays, The Isley's, The Temptations, The Chi-Lites, The Four Tops, The Drifters, Dr Buzzards Original Savannah Band (insane music!). New school giants Frank McComb (amazing vocalist and musician in his own right and Love Stories is the perfect blend of Stevie + Donny), Rahsaan Patterson (perfect vocal ambiguity), Terence Trent D'Arby (vocals!), Keith Washington ('Is It Just Too Much' is lyrical velvet), Kenny Greene of Intro (R.I.P - you were underrated), Dino Connor (R.I.P...I'm so grateful Anthony Hamilton reminds me of you), Anthony Hamilton in his own living right, Cee-Lo Green, John Legend, Maxwell (divine falsetto), Donnie, Bilal, Raphael Saadiq ('Shy, Can You Feel Me?'...is bliss) and the amazing (times infinity!) D'ANGELO.
..
Albums at the core of my audio-santuary?
MJ's Off The Wall/ Thriller (staple of my childhood), Tracy Chapman's debut (lyrically + vocally amazing), Paul Simon's Graceland (sheer nostalgia), Prince's Purple Rain (genius lives!),
Hi-Tek + Talib Kweli's Reflection Eternal (avant-garde hip hop is 4Women)
.. ..FOUR WOMEN...Nina's original could put you in a trance all by itself
Do You Want More + Things Fall Apart from The Legendary Roots Crew, Outkast's ATLiens + Aquemini ('Liberation' is in a class of its own), Mary J's My Life (bliss) + What's The 411? ('Real Love' changed me), TLC's Oooh On The TLC Tip for the carefee adolescent girl that once was, Common's One Day It'll All Make Sense (Retrospect 4 Life is a beast) + Like Water For Chocolate (God Bless Dilla production), Erykah's Baduizm + Mama's Gun ('Green Eyes' says it all), Lauryn's Miseducation and lyrically her Unplugged set too, Fugees' The Score, Fertile Ground's Black Is (can an album released in 2005 already be a classic?!? Yes!), King Britt Presents Sylk 130's 'When The Funk Hits The Fan' cultivated my affection for modern jazz (Season's Change + When The Funk Swings amaze me beyond words!), Rahsaan Patterson's Love In Stereo is a masterpiece!, D'Angelo's priceless Brown Sugar + Voodoo (D'Angelo= the kind of soul therapy a doctor can't prescribe), the entire De La (Rollerskating Jam Named Saturday takes me back everytime *S*) + Tribe Called Quest back-catalogue, Jodeci's Forever My Lady in tribute to sweet teen nostalgia and more or less Stevie Wonder's entire musical repertoire.
.. ..Stevie Does Superstition On Sesame Street. And it IS insane. Look out for the kid losing his mind around 4 minutes 10 seconds. Ah, classic!
Oh, oh, oh...have to say a word about a few all-time classic singles too... Rocket Love/ As/ Superstition/ Master Blaster/ Living For The City/ Too High - Stevie Wonder. On + On/ No Love/ Green Eyes ('You can't be what I need you to..so I don't know why I f*ck with you?!?)- Erykah Badu. Sign O The Times/ If I Was Your Girlfriend/ Purple Rain - Prince. Sure Boy/ It Ain't Love/ Get Here - Rahsaan Patterson. Off The Wall/ Human Nature - M.J in his prime (ie- the Quincy Jones era). Baby I'm Scared Of You - Womack + Womack. Every song made in the past 25 years with the title 'Juicy' (Mtume's classic, Biggie's joint and Roy Hargrove + Rene Neufville's divine collabo). Alright/ Lady/ One Mo' Gin/ The Root/ Spanish Joint/ Great Day In The Mornin'- D'Angelo. Water No Get Enemy- Fela Kuti. I Used To Love H.E.R - Common. Silent Treatment - The Roots (the ultimate hip hop ode to unrequited love!). Nights Over Egypt - The Jones Girls. Mountain Dance - Dave Grusin. Automatic - The Pointer Sisters.
Breakin' (There's No Stoppin' Us) Ollie + Jerry
Ollie & Jerry...Where are you?
Father Figure/ Praying For Time - George Michael (great songs!). Cool Relax - Jon B (Ali Shaheed Muhammed on production was the right move!). Passin' Me By/ Runnin' - The Pharcyde. As Famosas Gargalhadas Do Yuka - Ed Motta + Paula Lima (bliss!). '93 Til Infinity - Souls Of Mischief. T.R.O.Y- Pete Rock + CL Smooth (unparalleled hip hop!). Nappy Heads (Tranzlator Crew Mix) - Fugees ("Yo Mona-Lisa!.."). Forgive Them Father/ Lost Ones/ The Sweetest Thing/ Mr Intentional/ Peace Of Mind/ Tell Him/ The Miseducation Of...-Lauryn Hill. Sexual Healing/ Trouble Man/ Lets Get It On/ What's Goin' On? - Marvin Gaye. Say It Loud (Black + Proud) - James Brown. Mothership Connection - George Clinton (funk to the max!). Running Away/ Everbody Love The Sunshine - Roy Ayers. El Barrio (Masters At Work remix) - George Benson (magic!). Rapture/ Giving You The Best - Anita Baker. Glow Of Love/ A House Is Not A Home - Luther Vandross. Summer Madness/ Winter Sadness - Kool + The Gang. This Woman's Work (Maxwell blew it up!)/ Cloudbusting & Don't Give Up - Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel. Englishman In New York - Sting, Simply Red's 'Holding Back The Years'...
The Wall/ Money - Pink Floyd.Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics. Ravel's Bolero is outstanding!
Live In The Light - Fertile Ground (James Collins is a master songwriter!). Fast Car/ The Wall - Tracy Chapman. Live To Tell = Madonna in rare form. If You Want Me, Say It/ Walking In The Rain With The One I Love - Love Unltd Orchestra (joy!). Love Hangover - Diana Ross (hypnotic!). Once In A Lifetime - Talking Heads.
..
BUT WHY IS THERE NO CATEGORY FOR CLASSIC MUSIC VIDEOS???
..
As such, I'm creating a space for my 'Most Memorable Moments In Music Video History':
Thriller/ Beat It/ Remember The Time + SMOOTH CRIMINAL (best choreography ever!)- M.J in this prime.
Got Til It's Gone - Janet Jackson (where immaculate, abstract beauty + sophistication of the Drum era come to technicolour life).
Double-Dutch - Malcolm McClaren (flashback to a perfect stage in my childhood..aaah!).
Untitled - D'Angelo (visually self-explanatory).
Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack (Shara Nelson's effortless stroll is simple, streamlined to perfection).
Fight The Power + Can't Truss' It by Public Enemy = best hiphop videos ever made (God Bless the vision of Chuck D).
.. ..I have nothing further to say
Tennessee - Arrested Development (timeless Southern classic). Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer. The Message - Grandmaster Flash + Furious 5 (low-budget hip hop masterpiece replete with classic late 70's fashion disasters *S*). Can You Feel It - The Jacksons ( a timewarp classic). Hello - Lionel Richie (why?...because it's cheesy to perfection and can you really hate on that blind chick moulding Lionel Richie's jheri-curl head out of clay?!/?) (Oh...and I also give kudos to Busta and Missy for atleast trying to take the visual concept to another level)
(*This List Is Perpetually Under reConstruction.
Watch This Space*)
..
Lyrics Worth A Damn
..
Did You Watch The GIL SCOTT HERON Interview Up Above?
NINA SIMONE was a genius
Arguably the best PRINCE lyric ever
KEANE created a classic
Can we get a TALIB KWELI
HI TEK reunion please?
..
Movies:
Give me irreverent humour, dark comedy, arthouse flicks, biopics, weepies, psychological thrillers but count me out on the chiller/slasher genre. No thank you please!
Should film have a definitive purpose anyway?
Should it merely entertain, or should the infinite universe of visually ..ed tales actually serve to provoke, to enlighten, to transform?
The films are many. Some remarkably great. Some remarkably horrendous. Some just unremarkable. Mediocre.
So I'm simply shortlisting the remarkable - the great alongside the bogus - 'cause in strange ways, the good and the ugly are often equally memorable.
12 Angry Men
(strictly the original masterpiece)
LACKAWANNA BLUES
(a sophisticated joy)
A Scanner Darkly
(If this is the future of film,
then the future's bright!)
One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
(Impeccable work)
As Good As It Gets
(Does Nicholson ever do bad work?)
.. ..
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST
SPIKE Lee's visions via
40 Acres & A Mule
(most notably Do The Right Thing, X, Crooklyn, Jungle Fever, Mo' Better Blues, Get On The Bus, She's Gotta Have It, When The Levees Broke & basically every Spike Lee joint in between...with the exception of She Hate me, which I'm still pondering)
.. ..
bell hooks waxes lyrical on Spike & screen manipulations of Blackness in Hollywood
The Secretary
(a questionable film...especially in the context of the video up above.
It's troublingly good.
I like and dislike it all at once.
Beyond the kinks and S&M...)
500 YEARS LATER
(Have you seen this?)
Characteristically quirky
Coen brothers flicks
(The Hudsucker Proxy &
O' Brother Where Art Thou
are twistedly brilliant in parts)
When We Were Kings
(I actually thought the 'rumble in the jungle' was a myth...thank God that era was captured on film)
THE COLOR PURPLE
(Arguably my most perfectly memorable modern American film)
Thank You For Smoking
(Sinister, disturbing.
But honestly enjoyable)
RAW/ Trading Places/ Coming To America/ Boomerang
(Ok so Murphy's humour isn't rocket science. But it is classic 80's nostalgia)
Stir Crazy
(the inimitable pairing of Richard Pryor & Gene Wilder by Sidney Poitier actually worked)
A RAISIN IN THE SUN
(Lorraine Hansberry writes perfection for a phenomenal cast)
A Huey P. Newton Story by Roger Guenveur Smith
(intricate. controversial. phenomenal)
.. ..Who Define's That Paper Thin Line Between Politics & Gangsterism? And When Does Revolution Become Anarchy anyway?
Legends Of The Fall
(Keep an eye on Anthony Hopkin's ridiculously pimpliscious wilderbeast-skin coat in the closing segment. That alone is memorable.)
The Breakfast Club
(really and truly this film should have 3 immediate strikes against it:
(1)it's a john hughes film +
(2)it's a brat pack flick +
(3) it's an 80's teen movie.
But it all works flawlessly.
It's cult classic for damn good reason)
IMITATION OF LIFE
Sexy Beast
(disturbing Britishness at its very best)
Ai No Corrida
(an...eye-opening Japanese film to say the very least)
AMISTAD
(I didn't enjoy it. But I appreciate its importance)
The Village
(I thought I'd hate this..but it was quietly impressive)
PRIMARY COLORS
(From Grease to this? Props to Travolta. Best work hands-down!)
Hostel + SAW + Texas Chainsaw Massacre
(Why do these horrendous films even exist and for whom? People who genuinely enjoy watching human mutilation should be tracked and put on goverment watchlists. Really though.)
Midnight Cowboy
DOG DAY AFTERNOON
(Pacino unhinged!)
The Devil's Advocate
(PACINO FURTHER UNHINGED!!!)
Scarface
(is a torturously overrated Pacino film. Maybe Carlito's Way was better?)
DENZEL WASHINGTON deserves to have his name etched respectfully in uppercase reverence on account of simply being the great DENZEL WASHINGTON
ROBERT DE NIRO
merits his own line too
(Taxi Driver/ King Of Comedy/ Cape Fear, etc, etc, etc)
SCORCESE,
OLIVER STONE
& KUBRICK
make seriously memorable cinema.
Kudos to SPIELBERG too for sheer innovation.
tarantino gets a lowercase mention for being memorably annoying and for consistently hyper-exploiting the N-word whenever possible
In The Mood For Love
and 2046
(amazing, amazing avant-garde cinematography)
Dead Presidents
Subway Stories: Tales From The Underground
(Julie Dash's 'Sax Cantor Riff' down below is beautiful)
.. ..
Subway Stories: Tales From The Underground
RIZE
(LaChappelle captured it flawlessly)
Citizen Kane
The Corporation
(Please make sure you see this ..ary!)
THE COCONUT REVOLUTION
(the most inspiring ..ary ever!)
Glengarry, Glen, Ross
(powerhouse dialogue!)
Sisters In Law
(sheer triumph in modern African film)
John Leguizamo:'Freak'
(can a 1-man stand-up show be a movie?)
STORYTELLING
(chillingly brilliant macabre cinema)
The Good Girl
The Opposite Of Sex
Tootsie
Moving
(a filmsy foolish little film. But Dana Carvey's 'schizo' carjacker is insane!)
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
(The high point of Will Smith's entire career. Truly)
Falling Down
(Michael Douglas's irate-social crusader on the rampage is classic)
.. ..
Can Anybody Tell Me What's Wrong With This Picture? *S*.
Kramer-vs-Kramer
(Meryl Streep is the goddess of onscreen neurosis)
Saturday Night Fever
(Ok..I was a 4 year old hooked on Travolta + The Beegees. Why?!?)
The King + I
(R.I.P Yul Brynner. The best musical. No contest.)
ROYAL TENENBAUMS
(Wilson + Stiller = tight script!)
Moonlight + Valentino
(a beautiful film about rebirth)
All those lovely animated films from Pixar & Dreamworks honestly made to delight the minds of children masquerading as grown folk
DR STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE B*MB
(Peter Sellers was terrifyingly funny)
.. ..
DR STRANGELOVE..OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB. Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction.
Time for the Thespian Roll-Call,
ie:-The Infamous Scene-Snatcher Hall Of Fame
(in no preferrential order 'cause that would've been too conflicting and in anycase I know I'm bound to forget to mention a whole load of folks!)
The triple threat (ie- Denzel, Pacino, DeNiro) yet again.
Jeffrey Wright (TopDog/UnderDog...but Angels In America is more genius!), Christopher Walken (originator of the infamous 'psycho-stare' in The Deer Hunter), Steve Buscemi, Kathy Bates (Misery/ Primary Colors/ About Schmidt), Eamonn Walker (one word- OZ!), William H. Macy, Christian Bale (The Machinist, Hard Times & American Psycho clearly illustrate that this man has no problem conveying insanity), Ed Norton, Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Sean Penn, John Leguizamo, Michael Wright (underrated!), Billy Bob Thornton (true chamelion, but still the undisputed connoisseur of all hillbillie roles!), Alfre Woodard (solid actress!), Cate Blanchett, Shirley Maclaine (Terms of Endearment is priceless), Ruby Dee + Ossie Davis (R.I.P..an unstoppable duo), Phylicia Rashad (underrated!), Emma Thompson (superb), Dustin Hoffman ('Ratso Rizzo' the crippled conman in Midnight Cowboy goes down in history!), Peter Sellers (comic legend, R.I.P), Sir Anthony Hopkins, Randy Quaid (serves po' white trash like absolutely no other!), Kimberly Elise (young, strong, brilliant!), Toni Colette, Giovanni Ribisi (served it hardcore in The Gift + Boiler Room), Kevin Spacey (Who is Kaiser Sose?!?), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things is a must-see!), Samantha Morton ('In America'), Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller/ Biloxi Blues/ The Election), Nicholas Cage (actor-on-the-edge??), Delroy Lindo (solid!), John Goodman (hardcore!), Gene Hackman (is a legend!), James Woods, Benicio Del Toro (everytime!), Sean Penn (can carry a movie solo), Kevin Bacon (consistent), Isaiah Washington, Susan Sarandon, Whoopie Goldberg (should have taken far more serious dramatic roles), Tom Hanks (what can you say about Hanks?), Billy Crystal, Danny Devito, Michael Douglas (better with age), Diane Keaton, Robin Williams (astounding comic timing!...The World According To Garp + Patch Adams), John Lithgow (should never be seen on camera in a dress ever again! *S*), Harrison Ford (The Fugitive-vs-Hans Solo-vs-Indiana Jones?), Richard Pryor (R.I.P to a legend who was brilliant beyond comedy. Have you seen Bue Collar?), Gene Wilder (the real Willy Wonka!), Mike Myers and many other more rendered momentarily nameless by my fleeting mental block! (FootNote: Yes I am aware that Marlon Brando and Morgan Freeman do not appear on this list. Furthermore, Samuel Jackson does not appear because his latest cinematic outings have simply confused me. However, 'Gator' the 2-steppin' crackfiend in Jungle Fever will forever be untouchable!)
.. ..
Until I See This In Its Entirety With My Very Own Eyes, This Trailer Will Remain A Hoax In My Imagination
..
Television:
Some say television corrupts the mind. I say being born into modern society corrupts the damn mind. In my younger days, I wouldn't have admitted to watching this much television. But the adult in me has earned the right to be entertained dammit! I work too hard to afford the luxury of a TV licence (yes we do pay to watch TV here in Britain and the Brit Broadcasting Corp is a thieving bandit) and a digital subscription. Consequently, I watch that idiot box as intensively as humanly possible. Presently I'm hooked on re-runs. For some unknown reason, I'm a fiend for legal + medical dramas: from Third Watch to the amazing OZ (the best HBO drama ever!), LA Law + The Practice. I need stimulating dialogue and some of the writing on these old shows truly stands the test of time. I'm admittedly locked in crazy nostalgia over the 70's US classics Sanford + Son (R.I.P to the legendary Redd Fox), The Jeffersons and Good Times. 80's innocence via the Cosby Show + A Different World...On this side of the millenium, the often deplorable Chappelle's Show cracks me up, even despite my best efforts to resist (Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Story skits are ridiculously amusing)
What else?... Miami Ink (At this point in my sanity I don't 'do' tattoos, but I do 'do' quirky artistic concepts), House, Prison Break, ER, Grey's Anatomy, LOST, Desperate Housewives + Curb Your Enthusiasm...+ I was almost on the verge of omitting the guilty pleasure that is South Park. and of course The Simpsons.
Quirky British humour is an absolute joy..from the original version of 'The Office' (which trumps The Office US) to Simon Amstell's viciously addicitive takeover of 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks'. Oh, and Bill Bailey (of Buzzcocks fame) in comedy mode is legendary. The wickedest of Brit satire is beautifully done via Fonejacker and The IT Crowd (I can't get enough of anything involving Richard Ayoade right now to be honest). Oh, and there's this little genius show that was once on British television called Time Trumpet. Best futuristic political satire ever, ever, ever!!! (Maybe even better than Jon Stewarts Daily Show?) Don't believe me? Watch the clips below and judge for yourself...
....
..
Books:
The White Boy Shuffle (Paul Beatty's witt + intellect leave me speechless!), Native Son (Richard Wright captured a nation's double-consciousness with genius intricacy that would have made Dubois proud), Don't Play In The Sun (Marita Golden writes flawlessly), Who's Gonna Take The Weight?/ Recognize (all hail Kevin Powell for his beautiful, velvet clarity), Their Eyes Were Watching God (the legendary Zora Neale Hurston), The Wretched Of The Earth (Frantz Fanon), Corregidora (Gayl Jones, the True Tortured Blueswoman Scribe), The Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison), The Fire Next Time (A James Baldwin masterpiece), Black Macho And The Myth Of The Superwoman (Michelle Wallace...fierce title!), The Revenge Of Dandelions (Olu Butterfly Woods, aka 'part Goddess/part girl' is sharp beyond comprehension), LeRoi Jones' (aka Amiri Baraka) Home:Social Essays + Blues People (the best ever Black music anthology), Mumbo Jumbo (Ishmael Reed - so intimidatingly clever I still don't truly understand it), The Seventh Octave (Mr Saul Stacey Williams: Greatest Slam Champ Ever!), For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow's Enuf by Ntozake Shange (I bought this book 'cause the title alone scared the ish out of me!), the work of bell hooks in all her majestically defiant lowercase, Maya Angelou's autobiographical series, hip hop social critiques from the pens of Nelson George and Michael Eric Dyson (who is seamless, debonair and genius with every nuance!), a variety of plays by August Wilson (Fences)...and everything Roald Dahl wrote to enhance the innocence of childhood...
Heroes:
My Mama! That's her up above in all her Afro'd glory.'75 was a beautiful year!
...There is no being like Oprah when it comes to massive philanthropic gestures + Other inspirational characters who mean what they say, do what they mean and don't squander precious lifetimes bitchin' about the consequences of only the wrong-turns...
